I just got back from NEAF. I have to say its a much beefier mount and the 8" and 9.25" will come with 2" steel leg tripod for extra sturdiness... This is what I posted over in the CATS forum earlier today on this mount:

"Just got back from NEAF. Spoke with the celestron people about the new evolution mount. Will come in 3 configurations, 6" with the smaller tripod and 8" and 9.25" with larger 2" legs mount. It comes with a hand controller, but is meant to be used wirelessly with your smart device. Also the gears are brass and therefore you will not experience the same annoying backlash issues as with existing SE mounts. Another neat feature is enclosed lithium ion battery which is supposed to provide 10hr of use. So you will not need to bring power source as its embedded in the single fork arm. There are clutches on the azimuth and declination fork arm like the cpc which means you can move it manually, another nice feature. I lifted its beefy from 25lbs for the 6" to,46lbs to the 9.25". And yes, the 9.25" clears the base at zenith (barely)...

Celestron people were pumped about this product... Looks like the nexstar 6/8Se is going to be retired very soon... Oh by the way this enclosed battery and wifi capability is going to become a more integrated feature in upcoming celestron mount/scope packages..."

Interesting, indeed! I just happened to see it this morning on the Celestron site (which is now down at the moment, no doubt thanks to you guys).

I've been looking for something lighter (or at least lighter individual pieces) than my big CPC1100, but more capable than my little 6SE. I really like the lightness of my 6SE, but it just doesn't have enough aperture, the backlash drives me to drink (i could almost have a drink or two in the time it takes to move in the opposite direction), and the lack of clutches is irritating.

I'll have to keep my eye on this new arrival. If i end up buying one, it sure won't replace my CPC1100 which i love, but it might save my back some strain when doing less formal viewing.

I hope the hand controller is standard, because palmtops/tablets/etc aren't yet a part of my starwatching retinue.

I'd read it as "the hand-controller is an optional item that you'll have to buy". As long as it's compatible with the current HC (other than the StarSense unit), I'm okay with that - used prices aren't all that bad.

imo after using CGE/CGEPro/SE/SLT mounts with either SkySafari or SkyQ, there are still many instances where I'll take the hand controller over a phone or tablet - imo it's just faster and simpler for quick setups and taking a peek - so much less tapping on a screen; besides the HC is quite though and you can just dangle it out of the way (haven't we all done that!) instead of having to find a place to set a phone or tablet down.

I think this shows that Celestron is listening to their customers! No battery and hc wires? Sign me up!

And furthermore.....if history is any indication and I certainly believe that it is then it stands to reason that the 9 1/4" model will be the one to avoid if a steady view is foremost for you. They may sell it but that does not mean it should be sold and there are plenty of examples in the current lineup to help slam home that tidbit.